One Woman Explains Why The Future of Creativity Relies on Diversity

We were overwhelmed with the great responses we received, but in the end, we could only choose three finalists.

Below, we ask Ieva Urbaite, a finalist, to explain her idea:

Ieva's Submission:

Twenty Hive is a self-care newsletter that asks readers a new question every weekday morning. My goal is to help young people get to know themselves in an accessible way. Hustling and grinding is a big part of our culture, but self-care is just as important. The greatest innovators know to trust themselves and their abilities to bring new ideas to life. With a daily check-in from Twenty Hive, creatives, activists, entrepreneurs, and people just trying to figure things out can learn to push boundaries while taking care of themselves.

What sparked the idea for this project?

Hustling and grinding is a popular mindset with my generation. While it has its place in our lives, burnout is not sustainable.

I started Twenty Hive to empower young people to listen to their intuition in an accessible way. You don’t have to do yoga or get a journal to get started, just ask yourself a simple question throughout your day.

How would you define the future of creativity?

The greatest innovators know how to trust themselves and their abilities to bring new ideas to life. They listen to their own advice instead of only looking to those who came before them for guidance. But, the future of creativity doesn’t rely on confident thinkers alone. Diversity is an integral part of the creative process. The more we can learn from people who don’t look or think like us, the more creative our solutions will be.

How does this project support the future of creativity?

Twenty Hive supports the future of creativity by inviting creators to make space for themselves. When you wake up to a stack of emails and an infinite social feed, there's hardly any room for your own thoughts.

I designed Twenty Hive to be inclusive and accessible. It only takes a minute to read and is free of current events. Each email is an invitation to explore your own ideas, not “expert advice” on how you should live your life.

What inspires your creativity?

I’m inspired by folks who understand that living a full life doesn’t need to come at the price of putting someone else down. I’m inspired by minorities kicking butt in white male-dominated fields. I’m inspired by creators who ask for what they want and the communities who support them.

What advice would you give someone who is struggling to be creative?

I would invite them to do what they need to do to feel better. Maybe it’s taking a nap, unplugging for a few hours, or having a snack. If they don’t have time to do those things, even taking a few deep breaths can make a big difference.

When I’ve struggled to come up with an idea, it’s because I’ve held myself to an unrealistic standard. When you check in with yourself on a daily basis, it’s easier to embrace your quirks and keep going even when things aren’t perfect.

What excites you the most about your project?

I’m incredibly excited about the community that Twenty Hive is building. In the coming weeks, I'll be sharing questions from creators in art, technology, and business with a focus on members of the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, and women.

The questions people ask themselves when making creative decisions are often more enlightening than their answers.

Sponsored by Taco Bell

Taco Bell was founded on innovation and passion—and that spirit that Glen Bell brought to the masses in 1962 continues to push the company forward. Employees here work in a unique culture that fosters creativity and let them take risks, develop skills and learn in ways that fit their lifestyle. Taco Bell has a “Start with Us, Stay with Us,” mentality that encourages employees to leverage the career-building and education programs Taco Bell offers no matter how long you’ve been with, or plan to stay with, the company. Want to be part of the Southern California team recognized by Fast Company as one of the ‘Top 10 Most Innovative Brands in the World’? Learn more about what it’s like to work at Taco Bell, and check out open jobs.